J.J. McCarthy will play his first meaningful snaps of football in 20 months when he steps under center for the Vikings on Monday.

Between his national championship victory and his NFL debut in Chicago was a major knee injury and subsequent recovery that resulted in, effectively, a season off from football.

A logical observer would expect maybe some clunkiness and rust out of the gates. Nevermind the extended time off – nerves also could very well factor in for a 22 year old playing on the road on Monday Night Football with the nation watching.

And, yet, Minnesota can’t afford any of that.

The Vikings’ early season schedule ahead of their Week 6 bye looks like a soft runway from which their young quarterback can ascend. Of their first five opponents, only Pittsburgh made the playoffs a

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